Centrifugal ore-separator.



GBNTRIPUGAL ORE SEPARATOR.

APPLICATION FILED Nov. 7. 1904.

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No. 802,779. PATENTED OCT. 24, 1905.

W. H. PEGK.

CENTRIFUGAL ORE SBPARATR.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 7. 1904.

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if' 655625 fha/en???- MQL'M H M No. 802,779. PATENTED UGT. 24, 1905. W. H. PEUX.

CENTRIFUGAL ORE SEPARATUR.

APPLICATION FILED Nov. 1. 1904..

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WILBUR I-I. PIICK, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSISI MENTS, TO TITLE OWNERS COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF MAINE.

CENTRIFUGAL ORE-SEPARATOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 24, 1905.

To (LZ/Z whom, t Tmty concern,.-

Be it known that I, WILBUR I-I. Pnox, a citizen of the United States, residing at 1003 Monroe street, Chicago, Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Centrifugal Ore-Separatore, of which the following is' a specification.

My invention relates more particularly to centrifugal separators for separation of ores and similar materials of different degrees of specific gravity while in a ulverized or finely-divided state and mixe with water, and belongs to that class having an outer rotatable portion or vessel with a separating surface or area on its inner wall and a differentially-rotatable expansible and contractible inner portion or core which serves as a deflector and which is illustrated and described in the applications for United States Letters Patent for centrifugal separators filed by me June 13, 1904, Serial Nos. 212,429, 212,430, and 212,431, respectively, and also application, Serial N o. 231,743, filed by me November 7, 1904, reference to which is hereby made and my invention consists in the features and details of construction and combinations and associations of parts hereinafter set forth and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is principally a vertical central section of my improved separator, showing, however, part of the dei'lector and some other portions of the separator in elevation. Fig. 2 is a detail plan showing the worm-shaft-adjusting mechanism and its drive. Fig. 3 is a cross-section of Fig. 1 on line 3 3 looking in the direction of the arrows. Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail cross-section of one of the dei'lector bars and covering, showing position of one of the dovetailed channels and fastening devices.4 Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section of a part of the de- Hector-covering on line of a row of the fastening devices, showing the latter in elevation. Fig. 6 is a cross-section on line 6 6, Fig. 5, showing position of two longitudinal rows of fastening devices. Fig. 7 is a detail perspective of a fastening device. Fig. 8 is an enlarged detail of a part of the lower end of the deiiector in Fig. 1., better showing the means for anchoring and securing the end of the cover. Fig. 9 is a detail of a modied form of fastening device. Fig. 10 isa cross-section of a part of Fig` 9 on line 10. Fig. 11 is a detail of a portion of one of the bars of the deiiector, shown partly in side elevation and` 5 5 partly in longitudinal central section through its dovetailed channel and showing two fastening devices in position therein, one of which, however, is located in the portion of the channel where the bar is sectioned and shows said fastening device in side elevation.

In making my improved centrifugal separator I rovide a rotatable portion or vessel (L, whic I will term a "treatment vessel. I prefer to locate the treatment vessel in a vertical osition and to have it annular in shape wit icomparatively thin walls, as a tube or pipe, with a small amount of taper, however, from one end to the other and to have it provided with a smooth inner wall or surface, which serves as a separating surface or area a. The treatment vessel is provided with heads or ends I) and c, having extended hollow central hubs or trunnions d and e, respectively, as shown especiallyin Fig. 1. I also provide a shaft f, extending through the trunnions d and e, around which the trunnions are rotatably j ournaled, thus forming bearings for lateral support of the rotatable treatment vessel. This shaft is in turn supported laterally by suitable journal-boxes g and 7L, the top one of which is attached to a casting t' above the upper trunnion supported by columns y', which are securely mounted on a base-l1ousing lc of the separator. The lower journalbox h engages the shaft below the lower trunnion and is secured to the base-housing through arms l. The shaft is mounted in its journal-boxes g and 7L in a slidable manner and is extended through such boxes sufficiently, as shown in Fig. 1, to permit of a desired longitudinal travel. It is supported" at its lower end in a suitable step-box fm in a way to be substantially maintained therein against relative longitudinal movement to the box, so that by the movement of the stepbox the shaft will be forced with it either up or down, as the box may be moved. This box m is pivotally attached by links n to the forked end of the lever o, which lever is fulcrumed at p to the base-housing of the separator. The opposite end of the lever is secured by links g to an internally-threaded nut r, which engages a substantial depending rod s with its lower end threaded and which is securely and rotatably mounted and well maintained in substantial journal-boxes t IOO To the rod, between its journal-boxes, is rigy idly mounted a worm-wheel a for rotating the rod. The worm-wheel contacts at its hubs with the inner ends of the journalboxes, thus maintaining the rod against longitudinal travel. Meshing with teeth on the periphery of the worin-wheel is a worm o, carried and rotated by an adequate substantially journaled shaft w, which is rotated in either one direction or the other by the clutch-pulleys 9c and y, the two being driven in opposite directions by belts z and 2, Fig. 2, traveling in such manner, respectively, so that by movement of the lever 3 the clutch 3 may be brought into engagement with either one or the other of said pulleys, the threaded rod revolved in either direction desired, thus forcing the nut r up or down and rocking the lever 0 correspondingly and effecting a desired longitudinal movement or travel of the shaft f.

The base-housing of the separator is provided with two spirally-inclined troughs or compartments 4 and 5, as shown in Fig. 1, terminating in a discharge-spout 6.

The treatment vessel a is preferably sup-v ported vertically by a thrust-bearing 7 at its lower end, mounted on the upper end of the journal-box 7L, and is secured against upward movement by contact of its upper trunnion against the journal-box g. The lower end of the vessel is preferably somewhat enlarged diametrically for a short distance of its length, as shown in Fig. 1, and is provided with a row of nipples S around the circumference of the enlargement, which nipples have small openings S for the discharge of material and water from the treatment vessel. l/Vithin the recess or chamber' formed by this enlargement I prefer to provide a suitablyshaped ring 9, containing a series ofdepressions or pockets, as shown, with large openings at their inner side and converging to small openings registering with the dischargenipples 8, as shown in Fig. 1. The obj ect of this recessed or chambered ring is to prevent undue lodgment of material at this point.

Within the treatment vessel a and to operate in conjunction with it and its separating-surface and differentially rotatable to the treatment vessel and assisting to form a separating channel or passage therein l provide an expansible and contractible composite core, which l will term a deflector and which is preferably largely made of or embodies sections 10 of any suitable shape; but I prefer to have them in the form of substantially inflexible T-shaped bars or ribs. l will therefore in the specification and claims mostly speak of these sections as bars, but do not mean to confine myself strictly to that form of section. I prefer to have them extend lengthwise to the separating-surface or axis of rotation and at their outer or circumferential sides to have them lie comparatively close to each other with their stem portions extending toward the axis of rotation, so that their outer or head portions together or collectively form a circumferential surface or area at least approximately round and quite closely conforming to the contour or shape of the separating-surface. These bars or sections preferably havetheir outer circumferential surfaces turned or formed convex, so as to present collectively a more nearly round circumferential contour, and with their covering, hereinafter described, to form with the separating-surface a separating or concentrating channel. In the outer circumferential wall of the bars are formed channels or ways 12, as illustrated in Figs. 1, 4, and 11. These channels may be formed in any suitable way or shape desired to subserve the purposes required of them; but l prefer to have them dovetailed in form, located in the median line of the outer or convex T-faces of the bars, and extend the entire length of the bars or sections, and open at the ends of said bars and be adapted to receive and retain from relative radial movement fastening devices, hereinafter described, and hold such devices in place until the same are removed. lf the several bars have outer T-faces of sufficient width to make it desirable, more than one channel may be employed in each, located on opposite sides of said median line.

Mounted rigidly on the shaft within the treatment vessel at desired places, as illustrated particularly in Figs. 1 and 3, are hubs, wheels, or outwardly-extended portions 13, provided with radiating-slots 14, Fig. 3, of proper size and suitably located, as illustrated, to receive with slight clearance the stem portions of the T-shaped bars, and preferably at each side of these slots, located longitudinally to them and opening into them, are undercut ways or channels 15, formed by any suitable means desired, having bearing-surfaces extending longitudinally and obliquely to the axis of rotation` as shown in Figs. 1 and 3. Secured longitudinally and obliquely on the sides of the stem portions of the bars 10 at the points where they enter the slots 14 are strips 16, which also have suitable bearing-surfaces and are of size and shape and properly located to register with and properly enter in a sliding manner the oblique undercut ways or channels 15, so that by their engagement therein the bars are held from radial movement, except through the relative movement longitudinally of the shaft carrying the hubs or wheels 13. The bars are thereby concertedly movable toward and from the axis through the longitudinal movement or travel of the shaft. These bars 10 preferably extend nearly the entire length of the treatment vessel, as shown, leaving, however, room at the lower end for a plate or disk 17, with which the ends of the bars contact IOC IIC

in a radially-movable manner. The plate is somewhat removed from the head of the vessel, as shown in Fig. 1, and between the two is interposed a bearing 18, which is preferably of the roller or ball type and serves as means for assisting to support the plate and its superimposed parts and to prevent relative longitudinal travel of the bars forming the deflector and the treatment vessel. At the upper end of the vessel the bars are short enough to permit of the introduction of a disk or plate 19, which contacts with the bars at their upper end also in a movable manner. Thus the two plates form heads or ends or end portions for the collective bars or sections of the deflector.

The upper plate 19 is provided with an upwardly-extended hollow flange or collar 2() near its central part which surrounds the shaft f and preferably extends up into an annular chamber in the lower part of the trunnion d. Within this chamber and between the end of the flange on the plate and a shoulder on the trunnion is located a thrustbearing 21, preferably also of the roller or ball type which at this end serves to prevent relative longitudinal travel between the bars of the deflector and the treatment vessel. The plates 17 and 19 are mounted on the shaft fsufficiently loose to slide on it, but engage the splines 17/ and 19, respectively, so as to be revolved with the shaft. lt therefore follows that through the instrumentality of the said plates and the bearings 18 and 21 relative longitudinal travel between the plates and sections and the treatment vessel is prevented, while at the same time these former parts and the treatment vessel are dilferentially rotatable to each other, and the shaft with its rigidly-mounted parts, are longitudinally movable to the vessel. and bars. The travel of the shaft longitudinally may be effected by the mechanism that has been hereinabove described, driven by the belts e and 2.

lt will be seen that by traveling the shaftjI with its rigidly-mounted parts 13 longitudinally the obliquely-located pieces 16 will be traveled in the ways 15 and be forced toward or from the axis of rotation, thereby moving the bars positively and concertedly either in or out, depending on the direction of longitudinal travel of the shaft, so that the deflector is expanded or contracted diametrically and circumferentially, and through its nearer approach or its Vrecession from the separating-surface the channel or space between the deflector and the separating-surface which constitutes the separating-channel 11 will be either decreased or increased in size. The degree of angle or obliqueness of the parts 16 and their associate ways 15 and the distance of longitudinal travel of the shaft are suitably proportioned to secure the amount of expansion and contraction of the an extended or expanded position these edges will be somewhat farther apart.

I prefer to provide the plate 17 with aport or opening through it of any suitable size and shape desired for access into the deflector or for other purposes and to cover it with a removable plate or covering 17', Fig. 1.

l prefer to prevent water and material from entering the inside of 4the deflector formed by the several bars, partly for the reason that it would to some extent interfere with the proper working of the parts of the deflector, and further for the reason that material flowed inside of the deflector from leakage or otherwise would be removed out of the separating-channel, which would prevent its proper separation. As means for accomplishing this purpose l provide a flexible covering 22 over the circumferential area of the collective bars. rlhis covering is preferably made of alternate layers of rubber and canvas quite similar to some kinds of rubber belting. It is preferably made in the form of a tube of sligl'itly greater diameter than that of the deflector when the latter is fully expanded, so that the covering can be slid lengthwise over the end of and into place on the circumferential surface of the deflector. The covering is preferably made somewhat longer than the length of the bars and extends somewhat over the plates or head portions at the ends of vthe bars. Its extreme ends may be made of soft rubber without fiber, if desired, and this with a short distance'of the portion of the ends containing fiber are drawn down over the circumferential edges ofthe end portions or plates 17 and 1 9, and rings 23 are placed over said ends, as shown in Fig. 1, and in detail in Fig. S, and the said rings, by means of the tap-bolts 24, are securely clamped down, which compresses or draws the end of the covering into water-tight contact with the end portions o r plate, so that fastening the end of the covering is substantially and tightly effected. l/Vhen it is desired to remove the covering from the deflector, the rings 23 may be re moved byremoval of the tap-bolts, and the covering may be withdrawn. endwise from over the bars.

As means for holding the flexible covering to place around the bars against the action of centrifugal force when little or no water is in the treatment vessel and against torsional friction of the water whilewater is present in the vessel l provide fastening or retaining devices 25, Figs. 5, 6, 7, S, and 11, adapted to enter and be maintained in channels in the outer circumference of the bars. I prefer to malte these devices with their ends or IlO portions that enter the flexible covering of a retaining form and well secured in the covering, and to make their other ends or portions projecting from the covering, which latter portions are preferably dovetailed in shape. These devices are located in the covering in longitudinal rows, as shown especially in enlarged detail, Figs. 5 and 9, with the rows so spaced as to register with and enter the channels in the several bars from their ends when the covering is slid endwise over the bars and to be withdrawn from the channel when the covering is removed or drawn off endwisefrom the bars. The channels which are shown longitudinally of the bars in Figs. 1 and 11 and in cross-section in some other figures and are indicated by the numeral 12 are preferably made dovetailed in shape to correspond with the projecting portion of the fatsening device.

A modified form of fastening device is shown in Figs. 9 and 10, where a dovetailshaped bar 26 is illustrated and serves to unite the several bases of the stem or shank portion of the fasteners which enter and are secured in the covering.

As means for feeding or supplying material to the treatment vessel for separation a pipe 27, Fig. 1, is used, connecting with a hollow fixed casting 28, having an annular opening 29 at its lower side, registering with an annular opening in the feed-chamber 30 on the upper head of the treatment vessel. From this feed-chamber are holes 31 through the upper head of the treatment vessel, communicating with the space within the vessel between its upper head and the upper plate of the deiiector. The pipe 27 may be provided with a suitable valve (not shown) to govern the flow of material and water to the vessel, and there is a branch pipe 32 for supplying clean water when desired. This may be provided with a suitable valve (not shown) for governing the flow of clean water.

In operation the treatment vessel is revolved at the desired speed by means of a belt, which may be passed around the raised surface 33 on the vessel, and the defl'ector is also revolved, but at a desired different rate of speed, by means of application to its pulley 34. Initially the deflector is expanded to its fullest extent, thereby reducing or contracting the separating-channel to its proper size for commencement of concentration or separation. The materials to be se arated while in a iinely-pulverized state an mixed with the desired amount of water to make it iiow freely are thenfed into the treatment vessel, preferably from a suitable elevated agitator-tank, (not shown,) to which the feedpipe connects, and passes into the vessel and separating-channel through the agencies that have been described, the heavier portions or concentrates lodging on the separating-surface, while the lighter or waste parts are forced or driven along by and with the water through the separating-channel to discharge. The washing or scouring action of the water in the channel is principally governed by the amount of differential revolution between the treatment vessel and the deflector, which during concentration or separation is adjusted properly to wash off and move the lighter parts along to discharge, while at the same time permitting the heavier to lodge and accumulate on the separating surface. As the operation proceeds and the accumulation or accretion is forming in the separatingchannel the latter would very soon become toomuch contracted or filled if there were no compensating agency, and to meet this condition during the concentrating period the inner shaft is traveled lon itudinally, as has been explained, and there y the deflector is gradually and uniformily contracted, thus enlarging the separating-channel by increasing its depth, which in turn is being progressively iilled with concentrates. When the deflector has been fully contracted, the feed of material for separation is discontinued, the speed of the treatment vessel 'considerably decreased, and a flow of clean water introduced by its pipe and flowed through the separating-channel, and at the same time the de'liector, through the reverse longitudinal travel of the shaft, is expanded to its initial or maximum size, during which time the accumulated concentrates in the separatingchannel are washed out or removed and discharged. If this is not completely accomplished by the time the deflector is fully expanded, flow of clean water is continued for a sufficient additional short time thereafter to fully remove the concentrates, when the flow of clean water may be discontinued, the treatment vessel increased to its proper speed of rotation, and separation may then be resumed. All material and water passed through the separator are flowed out through the spout 6, although the several products which it is desired to keep separate are owed at different times and diverted by shiftinglaunders or other desired means to suitable places of deposit.

I desire to state that by the term watertight or "substantially water-tight in referring to the covering or deflector I mean that part only which is and comes within the Zone of the water and in contact with it in the vessel while in operation.

I do not in this application claim certain generic and other features herein disclosed but also disclosed and claimed in my application now pending, Serial No. 212,429, or that are claimed in my applications, Serial Nos. 212,43() and 212,431, which have been allowed, all filed June 13, 1904, or my pending application, Serial N o. 231,743, filed November 7, 1904.

What I regard as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. In a centrifugal ore-separator, the cornbination of a rotatable treatment vessel having a separating-surface therein, an expansible and contractible deflector within the vessel having sections provided with channels adapted to receive retaining devices and a removable flexible covering around said deflector, having retaining devices with one of their parts embedded in the covering and another of their parts removably engaging said channels.

2. In a centrifugal ore-separator, the combination of a rotatable treatment vessel having a separating-surface therein, an expansible and contractible deflector within the vessel having sections provided with channels adapted to receive retaining devices and a removable flexible covering around said deflector, having retaining devices with one of their parts embedded in the covering and terminating beneath its outside surface, and the other of their end portions removably engaging the said channels.

3. In a centrifugal ore-separator, the combination of a rotatable treatment vessel having a separating-surface therein, an expansible and contractible composite deflector within the vessel provided with channels in its circumferential wall and a flexible removable covering over the circumference of said deflector having devices extendinf therefrom and engaging said channels to hdld the covering to place.

4. In a centrifugal ore-separator, the combination of a rotatable treatment vessel having a separating-surface therein, an expansible and contractible deflector Within said vessel having movable bars provided with channels in their outer circumferential walls and av flexible covering overthe collective circumference of said bars, having devices protruding from said covering and removably engaging said channels to hold the covering to place.

5. In a centrifugal ore-separator, the combination of a rot-atable treatment vessel having a separating-surface therein, an expansible and contractible deiiector within the vessel provided with channels in its circumferential wall and a substantially watertight flexible covering over the circumference of said deflector, having devices engaging said channels to hold the covering to place.

6. In a centrifugal ore-separator, the combination of a rotatable treatment vessel having a separating-surface therein, an expansible and contractible deflector within said vessel having movable bars provided with channels in their outer circumferential walls and a removable flexible covering over the collective circumference of said bars, having devices engaging said channels for holding the covering to lace.

7. In a centrifugal ore-separator, the combination of a rotatable treatment vessel, havmg a separating-surface therein, an expansible and contractible deflector within the vessel having movable bars provided with dovetailed channels in their outer circumferential walls and a flexible covering over the collective circumference of said bars having devices removably engaging said channels for holding the covering to place.

8. ln a centrifugal ore-separator, the combination of a rotatable treatment vessel, having a separating-surface therein, an expansible and contractible deflector within the vessel having movablebars with undercut ways or channels in their' outer circumferential walls and a flexible covering over the collective circumference of said bars having devices projecting therefrom of shape and in position to enter and removably engage the said channels whereby the covering is held to place.

9. ln a centrifugal ore-separator, the combination of a rotatable treatment vessel, having a separating-surface therein, an expansible and contractible deflector within the vessel, having movable bars provided with dovetailed channels in their outer circumferential walls and a flexible covering over the collective circumference of said bars, having devices projecting therefrom of shape and in -position to removably enter and engage the dovetailed channels whereby the covering is removably held to place.

10. In a centrifugal ore separator, the combination of a rotatable treatment vessel having a separating-surface., an expansible and contractible deflector Within the vessel roo having movable bars provided with dovetailed channels on their composite outer diametrical walls and a flexible covering over the collective circumference of said bars, having devices projecting therefromv in lon- 105 gitudinal rows, the respective rows adapted to register with and enter in a retaining manner, the said channels in the several bars, whereby the covering may be slid endwise over the circumference of the deflector 11o and its projecting devices into engagement with the saidchannels.

11. ln a centrifugal ore separator, the combination of a rotatable treatment vessel having a separating-surface therein, an ex- 115 pansible and contractible deflector within the vessel having sections provided with channels adapted to receive retaining devices and a removable flexible covering around said deflector, having retaining devices with one of their r zo parts emb edded in the covering and another of their parts removably engaging said channels, an end portion for said sections collectively and the covering removably secured thereto.

12. ln a centrifugal ore separator, the 125 combination of a rotatable treatment vessel having a separating-surface therein, an expansible and contractible deflector within the vessel having movable sections, a substantially water-tight flexible covering over 13o the collective circumference of said sections, an end portion collectively for the several sections and a ring secured to said end portion overlapping the end part of the flexible covering and compressing it substantially Water-tight to the end portion of the several sections.

13. ln a centrifugal ore-separator7 the combination of a rotatable treatment vessel having a separating-su1face therein, an eX pansible and contractible deflector within the vessel having movable sections provided with channels on their outer diametrical Walls, a substantially Water-tight iiexible covering over the collective circumference of said sections, having devices engaging said channels in a retaining manner for holding the covering to place, a portion forming an end collectively for said section and a ring secured to the said end portion of the several bars, overlapping the end part of the flexible covering and compressing it substantially Water-tight to said end portion.

14. In a centrifugal ore separator, the combination of a rotatable treatment vessel having a separating-surface therein, an expansible and contractible deflector Within the vessel, having movable bars provided With channels in their outer diametrical Walls and a substantially Water-tight flexible covering over the collective circumference of said bars, devices projecting from said covering located in longitudinal rows, the respective rows adapted to register with and enter the channels from the end of the several bars, whereby the covering may be slid endWise over the circumference of said bars and the fastening -devices held in said channels, a portion forming an end for the collective bars, and a removable ring secured to said end portion overlapping the end part cf the flexible covering and compressing it substantially Water-tight to said end portion of the collective bars.

15. In a centrifugal ore-separator, the combination of a rotatable treatment vessel having a separating-surface therein, an expansible and contractible de'l'lector Within the vessel, having movable bars provided with dovetailed channels in their outer circumferential Walls and a flexible covering over the collective circumference of said bars having secured to it dovetailed pieces engaging said dovetailed channels for holding the covering to place.

16. In a centrifugal ore-separator, the combination of a rotatable treatment vessel having a separating-surface therein, an eX- pansible and contractible deflector Within the vessel having movable sections and a substantially Water-tight removable covering over the circumference of said deflector having projecting retaining devices, secured to said covering and removably engaging said deflector.

ILBUR H. PECK.

Vitnesses:

H. PnMBnoKn, E. R. PEMBROKE. 

